Finding Book Reviews H. Calogeridis R. Caldwell UW Library Last Updated: March 2005

What is a Book Review? A book review is an overview or a critical assessment of a particular book A book review is an overview or a critical assessment of a particular book It is a special type of article published in journals, magazines and newspapers (usually following the book’s initial publication) It is a special type of article published in journals, magazines and newspapers (usually following the book’s initial publication)

Book reviews appear in a variety of lengths, ranging from a few lines to a few pages Book reviews appear in a variety of lengths, ranging from a few lines to a few pages Scholarly reviews are typically longer and of more use to researchers Scholarly reviews are typically longer and of more use to researchers A book review is NOT an in-depth critical evaluation of the author’s work A book review is NOT an in-depth critical evaluation of the author’s work

Book reviews may include comments on: the author’s style of writing the author’s style of writing motifs or themes motifs or themes outstanding features outstanding features reading level and anticipated audience reading level and anticipated audience plot summary plot summary the reviewer’s opinion of the book the reviewer’s opinion of the book

Starting Your Search To begin your book review search, you need to know: the author’s full name the author’s full name the complete title of the book the complete title of the book the year the book was published the year the book was published

Book Review Sources The Library has print indexes that are entirely devoted to book reviews. Examples: Book Review Digest (Abs Z1219.C96 Porter) Book Review Digest (Abs Z1219.C96 Porter) Book Review Index (Abs Z1035.A1B6 Porter) Book Review Index (Abs Z1035.A1B6 Porter) Canadian Book Review Annual (Abs Z1035.A1C3x Porter) Canadian Book Review Annual (Abs Z1035.A1C3x Porter)

Print Indexes – Sample Review book review information by author/title book review information by author/title Reviewed Author Reviewed Title Abbreviated Review Sources

Many general and subject specific electronic journal indexes and research databases also give access to book reviews. (available at it is important to remember that the search strategy for finding book reviews may vary depending on the database it is important to remember that the search strategy for finding book reviews may vary depending on the databaseExamples: General Science Abstracts General Science Abstracts Humanities Full Text Humanities Full Text LexisNexis Academic LexisNexis Academic Social Science Full Text Social Science Full Text Web of Science Web of Science

Research Databases - Examples electronic research databases can be found via the Library’s home page electronic research databases can be found via the Library’s home page

Sample Search in Humanities Full Text combine the title of the book being searched with the “Book Review” option (located in the Document Type menu) combine the title of the book being searched with the “Book Review” option (located in the Document Type menu) e.g. God’s Man for the Gilded Age and Book Review

Document Type Title of Book

Full Text Option Check Library Holdings Abstract Document Type Title of Book Review Source

Sample Search in Web of Science 1. from the list of search options, select Cited Reference Search 2. enter the name of the Cited Author you wish to review 3. enter the Cited Year 4. search your entry by selecting the Search button 5. select which citations you would like to view from the Cited Reference Index

6. select Book Review as the document type 7. set your Language preference 8. select the Finish Search button 9. choose which record you would like to view by clicking on its respective title

Cited Author Cited Work Cited Year(s) Search Button

Select Citations to View Document Type Language Setting Finish Search Button

Select Record Link

Title of Book Review Author of Book Review Review Source Abstract Check Library Holdings Document Type

Sample Search in LexisNexis Academic select Guided News Search from the top menu select Guided News Search from the top menu select the news category: Arts & Sports News select the news category: Arts & Sports News select the news source: Book, Movie, Music & Play Reviews select the news source: Book, Movie, Music & Play Reviews enter search terms (title, or author/title information) enter search terms (title, or author/title information)

Search Search Terms News Source Guided News Search News Category

Book Title Author of Reviewed Book Book Review

There are also many online book reviews freely available on the Web. Examples: H-Net Reviews ( H-Net Reviews ( New York Review of Books ( New York Review of Books ( New York Times Book Reviews ( New York Times Book Reviews ( For a more complete listing, consult the Directory of Book Reviews at:

Here is a more complete UW Library Guide to finding book reviews: 3.html 3.html